Jenny Madison

Did I mention I'm back to school? Kind of a rash decision but fear of losing my job or staying in my job for the next 36 years is my motivation. Right now I am dispensable. I have an Associates degree in business ,which, in this company, with this economy, won't even score me an Admin position. I'm fortunate to have hired in when I was 18 which has given me plenty of time to learn about the biz, the company, and build relationships. I think that's why I'm still here. That, and I try to keep a positive attitude. I truly believe that it has helped me alot of ways even though it sounds silly. Nobody wants to work with a bitch, right?

Really though, back in the day it was possible to work your way into jobs with a little education and alot of hard work and dedication. Now it seems like a person needs a lot of education and a little experience to get the "good" jobs. Please note, I'm thankful for my job and at this time of recession, any job is a good job. Maybe not a fun job, but the bills are getting paid. You know what I mean.

Don't get me wrong, I think those that spend alot of time studying aspects of certain fields definitely deserve to work in them and get paid for their subject knowledge. But this blog is about me and my future. I know I need more and I'm going to get it.

A couple of years ago when we were trying to get pregnant, I was working in a position that, at the time, didn't demand much. I was content with that because Tanner was making enough money to support us and it gave me time to pursue another career. Massotherapy.
Our vision was to start a family and I could work part-time making the same amount of money as I did working full-time. That way the budget isn't impacted, we'd be paying less for child care, and most important, I'd get to spend more time with our child/children. Long story short, the economy went down the tubes, people were spending less on massages and more on alcohol. Should've went the bartending route I guess! Since Tanner's job primarily relies on the auto industry for work it was also impacted. Definitely a reality check. When a person is working independently providing a service that most people can live without, it's not good business when people are cutting out the "extras". Especially in a small town where most of your business comes from tourists that are here to look at the leaves and stare at the Amish. Now that my income is the "reliable" income I know that I need to have a guarantee that I can support my family if I have to continue to do so.

Last Saturday was my first day at school. I was freaking about the likelihood of me being the oldest student so I left my cardigan in the closet, threw on a hoodie and my AE jeans and off I went. I arrived early to avoid the stare downs that late entrances always invite. As I pulled into the parking lot I got a complex about the car seat in the back, the sun shades in the windows, the toy cell phone in the back seat . . . you get the picture. But those thoughts left quickly when I stepped out into 0 degree temps with high winds and had to speed walk half a mile to the nearest entrance. During my death march I was going through the checklist: pencils, check! pens, check! paper, check! folder? good. book . . . .being shipped by seller. pray that he doesn't want to use the book today. Even though I enrolled late, I refused to pay $132 for the used textbook when I found the exact book on Amazon for $80.

I'm running out of time and motivation to finish this blog so I 'll make it brief. I get to class, oldest classmate is 62, youngest is 19. Average age of classmates, 30 - yes! Feeling better already. Now I just need my book to arrive before Sat. morning so I can get my homework done and not look like an idiot.

The first class I chose off my list is Economics. I forgot how much I enjoy learning. I have a feeling I'm really going to like it which gives me hope that I'll do well.

36 credits to go to my Bachelor's degree, wish me luck!